Ansari leaves for S Africa to attend inauguration of Prez Zuma

New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) India's Vice President Hamid
Ansari left here Friday on a three-day visit to South Africa
during which he will represent India at the inauguration of
Jacob Zuma as the fourth democratically elected President of
that country.

Ansari would join a host of world leaders, who would
assemble at Pretoria Saturday for the inauguration of Zuma
following the ruling ANC's landslide win in the April 22
polls.

The Vice President, who is accompanied by wife Salma
Ansari and Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External
Affairs Nalin Surie along with some other high-level
officials, is expected to meet some world leaders during the
visit.

Zuma, 67, was elected as President on Thursday by the
South African parliament with a thumping majority. He polled
277 votes out of 327 cast by MPs against his opponent Mvume
Dandala, who secured 47.

Ansari's visit "underlines historic bond between the two
countries and India's determination to add depth to the
relations," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash
told reporters ahead of the Vice President's trip.

Prakash noted that India's relations with South Africa
have been growing from "strength to strength" and have
developed into strategic ties.

New Delhi and Pretoria share common views on a number of
global issues which they have been jointly airing through the
India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) forum.

South Africa is also a key member of the 54-nation
African Union (AU) with which India seeks to enhance
cooperation in all spheres, particularly in trade and
investment.

India is also looking for support of the AU for its bid
for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

South Africa is one of the largest trading partners of
India in the African continent, the MEA spokesman said.

The volume of bilateral trade has been increasing and
stood at USD 6.2 billion during the financial year 2007-08.
The bilateral trade in 2008-09 is estimated to be of the tune
of USD 7 billion.

Incidentally, Ansari's visit to South Africa is taking
place at a time when the Indian Premier League (IPL)
tournament is being played in that country.

Asked whether the Vice President would take some time out
to watch any IPL match, the spokesman said it would depend on
Ansari's personal interest. PTI